AFL convention begins tomorrow in Calgary

CALGARY - Two prominent union leaders will be featured speakers as the Alberta Federation of Labour kicks off its biennial convention tomorrow in Calgary.

Several hundred union members and activists from across the province will be in the audience to hear addresses from AFL president Audrey Cormack and Bob White, the well-known president of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC).

This will be White's last major public address in Alberta as CLC president. After two successful terms, White is scheduled to step down from his post at the CLC's convention in May.

Both Cormack and White will talk about the challenges facing working people as we near the beginning of the 21st century. Cormack will focus on the situation in Alberta, while White will talk about concerns and developments at the national and international levels.

"This will be our last convention of the 20th century," says Cormack. "It's a great opportunity for us to look back on all that unions have accomplished in Canada over the past 100 years. It's also a good time to make plans for building an even stronger labour movement for the future."

All speakers will be heard in the Westin's main ballroom. Reporters are asked to check in at the convention registration desk. No one will be allowed on the convention floor without proper credentials.